The gold standard of roasted oolong, Dong Ding Oolong, is a true taste of history. Born on the "Frozen Summit" in Lugu, Taiwan, this legendary tea is masterfully roasted to create a rich, full-bodied brew with a signature nutty flavor and a long, sweet aftertaste.
Welcome to the very heart of Taiwanese oolong tradition. There are many famous teas in the world, but few have the legendary status of this one. Dong Ding Oolong is a true icon. It is the original comfort tea. This gives a warm, rich and wonderfully nutty brew that has been perfected for over 150 years.
This page is our special tribute to this incredible tea. We are here to celebrate its unique origin story. The masterful craft and the deeply satisfying flavor made it famous and beloved all around the world. It’s a cup of history, a taste of place, and a feeling of pure comfort, all in one.
To truly understand this remarkable tea, we first have to travel to a very specific place. Our journey takes us to Dong Ding Mountain in the beautiful Lugu Township of Nantou County, Taiwan. The name "Dong Ding" poetically translates to "Frozen Summit." This is a Tribute to the cool, misty, and slippery slopes where farmers would climb to cultivate this treasure.
Unlike the famous high mountain teas that grow over 1,000 meters, Dong Ding Oolong is a classic mid-mountain tea. Its farms are typically found at altitudes between 600 and 900 meters. Its unique character comes from the perfect, magical growing conditions. The specific climate impact, Soil infusion, and a time-honored, patient roasting technique give it a unique personality and character.
This special tea is traditionally made from the Qing Xin or "Green Heart" cultivar, a variety known for producing wonderfully aromatic and balanced oolongs. It is this perfect harmony of place, plant, and process that makes Dong Ding the gold standard of roasted oolongs.
Every legendary tea has a great story, and the tale of Dong Ding is one of adventure and generosity. The story begins over 150 years ago, in the 1850s, with a scholar from Lugu named Lin Feng Chi. Mr. Lin traveled a long way to Fujian, China, to take an important exam. While he was there, he saw the incredible oolong tea gardens in the famous Wuyi Mountains. This place is known for the best teas in the world.
When it was time to return home to Taiwan, he was given a wonderful gift. He was given 36 precious tea seedlings from the Wuyi Mountains to take with him. Mr. Lin carefully brought these young plants back to his home and planted them on the misty slopes of Dong Ding Mountain. From those original 36 seedlings, a legendary tea was born. The local farmers shared the plants and perfected the craft, creating the Dong Ding Oolong we love today.
So, every time you sip a cup of Dong Ding, you are tasting a piece of that amazing history. It's a direct link to that first journey and the spirit of sharing that started it all.
The true soul of Dong Ding Oolong is born from fire. While its origin on the mountain is important, the secret to its signature flavor lies in the traditional roasting process. This is a special skill that has been passed down with pride through generations of tea masters in the Lugu region.
After the tea leaves are picked and processed, the final, transformative step begins. The leaves are slowly and carefully baked for hours. This is often done using special baskets over a gentle charcoal heat. This process does not aim to quickly dry the tea. The main goal of roasting oolong tea is about completely transform its character from the inside out.
This masterful medium roast brings out the tea’s natural sugars. This leads to caramelization and creates those delicious notes of caramel and honey. The heat mellows the flavor, removing any hint of bitterness or astringency. This helps develop the deep, toasty notes that are the unmistakable hallmark of an authentic Dong Ding. It is a process that requires a lot of patience and years of hard-earned skill.
At Dong Po Tea, we honor the rich tradition of this magnificent tea with all our hearts. We also understand the needs of the modern tea drinker. We are proud to offer our authentic Dong Ding in two perfect formats. We craft the option, so you can enjoy its wonderful taste anytime, anywhere.
This is for the tea purist and the home connoisseur who loves the ritual of brewing. Experience the full, meditative process with our Dong Ding Oolong loose-leaf tea. You can watch as the tightly rolled, dark leaves unfurl with each steep, releasing their rich, nutty aroma and complex, layered flavors. It is perfect for a mindful brewing session where you can truly connect with your tea.
This is for convenience without ever having to compromise on quality. You can enjoy the same authentic, full-bodied Dong Ding flavor in our premium pyramid tea bags. These roomy sachets are filled with the same high-quality leaves, giving them space to expand and release their full taste. They are perfect for the office, for travel, or for any time you crave that classic comforting taste without any fuss.
Brewing this tea is a simple and deeply rewarding pleasure. Its dark, roasted character makes it wonderfully forgiving and very easy to get right. It's easy to brew, so you don't have to worry about making mistakes.
We recommend using water that is at a full boil. The temperature should be around 95-100°C (203-212°F). The higher temperature is perfect for unlocking the deep, caramelized, and nutty notes locked inside the leaves. You'll see the water turn a beautiful, clear, brilliant amber-orange color.
One of the very best qualities of Dong Ding Oolong is its incredible longevity. Please don’t just steep it once! These high-quality leaves are meant to be enjoyed for multiple infusions. Your first cup will be nutty and toasty, the second may be a little sweeter, and the third even softer and smoother. Each cup takes you on a slightly different journey.
There is a very good reason why Dong Ding Oolong has been so loved and cherished for generations. It is a perfect harmony of place, plant, and masterful craft. It is a tea that is both wonderfully complex and incredibly comforting at the same time.
We warmly invite you to experience this amazing piece of Taiwanese tea history for yourself. Brew a warm cup, take a slow sip, and let the rich, nutty flavor transport you to the beautiful, misty slopes of the Frozen Summit. It’s a taste you won’t forget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Diving into a tea with such a rich history can spark a few questions. We've gathered some of the most common ones here to help you get the most from your Dong Ding experience.
Yes, they are exactly the same famous tea! "Tung Ting" is just an older way of spelling the name in English. Both names refer to the wonderful, traditional roasted oolong that comes from Taiwan's Lugu Township.
While both are famous oolongs, they have very different tastes. Our Dong Ding is defined by its warm, nutty flavor from the roast. Tie Guan Yin is typically much lighter, unroasted, and known for its bright, floral, orchid-like notes.
Dong Ding has a moderate amount of caffeine, which is perfect for a gentle lift. The traditional roasting process can slightly lower the caffeine content. This will give you calm, focused energy without the jitters you might get from coffee.
This is a fantastic food pairing tea! Its rich, toasty character is wonderful with savory foods like roasted chicken or mushrooms. It's also delicious with desserts that have caramel or nuts, as its robust flavor complements them perfectly.
While its color is darker, Dong Ding is an oolong tea, not a black tea. Oolongs are partially oxidized, putting them in their own special category right between green tea and black tea.
The name "Dong Ding" means "Frozen Summit" because the mountain where it first grew was cool and misty. Farmers said the paths were so slippery. They had to walk on their tiptoes "like they were on a frozen peak."
Dong Po Tea preserves Taiwan’s Oolong heritage with care, purity and tradition.
